Mar 7, 2024
A Tale of Two Adars, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
Why do we delay celebrating Purim until Adar Sheini?
The Mishna in Megila addresses the circumstance where after fully celebrating Purim, the Beit-Din decided to add another month to the year; although the Tosefta records a dissenting opinion, the Mishna rules (and such is...
Jan 25, 2024
Tu Bishvat | Choni, the Carob and the Dream, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
How are the Choni legends - the long slumber, the carob tree and the rain-circle - related to each other?
In honor of Tu biSh'vat, we explored the story of Honi HaMa'gil (or Hame'agel) and the various Aggadot associated with him, in the scholion of...
Dec 13, 2023
Chanuka | On the Desecration of the Temple by the Greeks, by Rav Moshe Taragin
Shiur given to Bnei Chul alumni during a special Chanuka Day of Learning, Wed Dec 13, 2023, the sixth day of Chanuka.
Dec 7, 2023
Chanuka | Ner Chanuka and the Enumeration of the 613 Mitzvot, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
How did the Geonim justify including the Mitzva of Ner Chanuka in their enumeration of the 613 Mitzvot?
Following the famous homily of R. Samlai (BT Makkot 23b) that Moshe received and conveyed 613 Mitzvot, interest was only...
Dec 6, 2023
Chanuka | Lighting up the Night, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb
Shiur given at Kehillat Haela, Ramat Beit Shemesh on November 29, 2023